Bhutan

About the Place

Druk Yul is one of the most isolated nations in the world. Bordered by Peoples republic of China and India it is a paradise for travelers. Foreign influences and tourism are regulated to preserve its traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture. It is watered by snow fed rivers and the rivers meanders through valleys creating a picturesque view. The alpine valleys in this region provide pasture for livestock, tended by a sparse population of migratory shepherds. It has many public holidays and most of them centre on seasonal,secular and religious festivals.They are celebrated with masked dances and dance dramas accompanied by traditional music. The colorful people and their dresses make the scenario worth watching. Nearly 72 percent of the country is under forest cover, its pristine ecology is home to rare and endangered flora and fauna with over 750 species of birds, over 160 mammals and 5500 species of plants including over 150 medical plants. Blue poppy, takin, blue sheep, snow leopard and musk deer's presence can be felt here in this part of the world. Bhutan tourism encourages less but quality tourist. Administrative division are on the basis of Dzongkhag / Dzongkha of Bhutan These are twenty in numbers and some of the Dzongkhag / Dzongkha well known for tourism are Bumthang, Chukha, Gasa, Haa, Luentse, Mongar, Paro, Punaka, Samdrup Jongkhar, Thimphu, Trongsa (Tongsa) and Wangdue Phodrang (Wangdi Phodrang).The Black Mountains in central Bhutan form a watershed between two major rivers, the Mo Chhu and the Drangme Chhu. Travelers can come across archery as it is the national sport and competitions are held regularly in most villages.

Communication / Connectivity

The country's only international airport is at Paro in the south west of the country. It is served by the country's flag carrier Druk Air. Druk operate four aircraft (including two airbuses) which has flight to Bangkok, Kolkata, Delhi, Dhaka, Gaya, Kathmandu, and Yangon. Please note that Druk Air does not issue tickets without a visa clearance number. Bagdogra Airport and Guwahati airport are also nearby for places like Phuentsholing and Samdrup Jongkhar.

There is no railway system in Bhutan. Indian Railways plans to link southern Bhutan to its network under an agreement signed in January 2005 The nearest railway station from Phuentsholing is Hashimara in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal in India.The nearest major railway station is at Siliguri namely New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in India. Bhutan cannot be accessed by train directly. Guwahati in Assam is also one of the Major railway stations and is easily assessable from Samdrup Jongkhar.

Indian buses ply up to Jaigaon, the bordering town of Bhutan border town Phuentsholing. Royal Bhutanese Government runs bus service from Kolkata in West Bengal to Phuentsholing in Bhutan.Buses depart from Kolkata's Esplanade bus station at 7.00 PM on Tuesday,Thursday and Saturday.Similarly they leave from Phuentsholing Bhutan Post office at 3.00 PM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.The journey takes around 18 hours and costs Rs. 600.00 Rupees / Nu. The buses are comparatively comfortable. There is frequent service between Siliguri, Jalpaiguri and Phuentsholing.

Places of Interests

Situated in the valley of eastern Himalaya, Paro is a small and beautiful country in Himalayas with two storeys houses good looking, rectangular in plan decorated. It is bordered by Haa Dzongkha to the west, Tibet to the north, Thimpu to the east, and Chukha Dzongkha to the south. It is full of legends, heroism, and natural splendor and is home to some of the Bhutan's oldest temples, monasteries and the only airport of Bhutan. Rinpung Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyal and Ta Dzong watch tower built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th Century, now holds the National Museum is worth a visit. Taktshang, or Tiger's Nest, Kyichu Lhakhang the oldest temple, Drukgyel Dzong, at ruins since a fire in the 1950s. Rinpung Dzong where the movie Little Buddha was filmed are all beautiful sites to be visited around the town of Paro. One our tourist is of the view that Bhutan has about 700,000 citizens, 17,000 tourists per year, and two airplanes. It’s a tourist paradise and it has to be seen to believe. All the trek route and packages either initiate or pass through Paro.

Places of Interests

Dungtse Lhakhang temple

Rinpung Dzong

Ugyen Perli Palace

Taktshang Monastery

Drukyel Dzong

National Museum of Bhutan

Farmhouse / Ta Dzong

Kyichu Lhakhang

Trek to nearby village

Communication / Connectivity

Airways : The country's only international airport is at Paro in the south west of the country and is 55 kilometers from Thimpu. Paro Airport is a beautiful small green roofed facility in a valley served only by Druk Air, Bhutan's national airline from India, Nepal and other countries. Druk operate four aircraft (including two airbuses) which has flight to Bangkok, Kolkata, Delhi, Dhaka, Gaya, Kathmandu, and Yangon. Bagdogra Airport and Guwahati airport are 9 to 10 hours drive. Schedules vary between seasons, and extra flights are available during peak tourist season. Normally flights from New Delhi, Kathmandu and from Bangkok via Kolkata or Dhaka are available in regular basis.

Railways : Bhutan cannot be accessed by train directly as there is no railway system in Bhutan. Indian Railways plans to link southern Bhutan to its network under an agreement signed in January 2005 The nearest railway station from Phuentsholing is Hashimara in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal in India. The nearest major railway station is at Siliguri namely New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in India. Guwahati in Assam is also one of the major railway stations and is close to Samdrup Jongkhar.

Roadways : Roads are only for the Bhutan National to use as an entry and exit point. Travelers are only allowed to enter, exit point are Paro and Phuentsholing only. Indian buses ply up to Jaigaon, the bordering town of Bhutan border town Phuentsholing. Royal Bhutanese Government runs bus service from Kolkata in West Bengal to Phuentsholing in Bhutan. Buses depart from Kolkata's Esplanade bus terminus. Similarly they leave from Phuentsholing Bhutan Post office. The journey takes around 18 hours. The buses are comparatively comfortable. There is frequent service between Siliguri, Jalpaiguri and Phuentsholing.

It is the administrative centre of Punakha Dzongkha, it is about 72 kilometers and it is about 3 hours drive by car from Thimphu situated at an elevation of 1200 meters with mountains covered with vast pine woods, winding roads and the snow covered peaks of the Himalayas. Punakha is bordered by Thimphu, Gasa, and Wangdue Phodrang all are of tourist interest. It's a picturesque town and the weather is quite warm in winter and hot in summer. Rice is grown as the as the major crop along the valleys of two rivers Pho Chu and Mo Chu. The village named Ritsha is famous for rice cultivation and the plantation area also has papaya and orange plants growing in between. Punakha dzong is beautifully located along the river but is vulnerable to flash flooding caused by glacial lake outburst flood and it was flooded thrice in 1957, 1960 and 1994. Few noticeable object is the is that you come across with prayer flags - some small square flags strung together and other single flags on a pole by themselves. One can actually hear them flapping in the breeze, it is believed by the Buddhist that the prayers written on the flags will be dispersed on the wind. Other noticeable matter is everyone were national dress all the time and lastly the houses are all built as per Dzong style. Punakha is divided into nine gewogs or counties Chhubu Gewog, Dzomo Gewog, Goenshari Gewog, Guma Gewog, Kabjisa Gewog, Lingmukha Gewog, Shenga Bjime Gewog, Talo Gewog, and Toewang Gewog.

Places of Interests

Punakha Dzong

Takshang Monastery

Taa Dzong / National Museum

Rimpung Dzong / Traditional Farm House

Wangdi Phodrang / Wangdue Dzong

Phobjikha Valley

Ritsha Village

Trek to nearby village

Communication / Connectivity

Airways : The country's only international airport is at Paro in the south west of the country and is 55 kilometers from Thimpu. Paro Airport is a beautiful small green roofed facility in a valley served only by Druk Air, Bhutan's national airline from India, Nepal and other countries. Druk operate four aircraft (including two airbuses) which has flight to Bangkok, Kolkata, Delhi, Dhaka, Gaya, Kathmandu, and Yangon. Bagdogra Airport and Guwahati airport are 9 to 10 hours drive.

Railways : Bhutan cannot be accessed by train directly as there is no railway system in Bhutan. Indian Railways plans to link southern Bhutan to its network under an agreement signed in January 2005 The nearest railway station from Phuentsholing is Hashimara in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal in India. The nearest major railway station is at Siliguri namely New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in India. Guwahati in Assam is also one of the major railway stations and is close to Samdrup Jongkhar.

Samdrup Jongkhar is regional head of Samdrup Jongkhar district and the largest town in east Bhutan it is similar to Phuentsholing due to the similarity in architectural style. In fact both towns are on the border with India and are the only entry and exit point by road. This town is a very clean and pleasant place with an eclectic mixture of Bhutanese and Indian shops, restaurants and hotels, so it is worth a look around if visiting the area. Though this place does not have much places of tourist interest yet being an important transit point with the Visa office and entry point to Bhutan, it is always bit busy. Flight and roadways are the only option of travels in Bhutan and is always advisable for travelers to visit places nearby or in one circuit well planned in advance. Small Japanese Coaster buses makes comfortable journey from there.

Places of Interests

Zangdo Pelri Temple

School for the Blind

Khaling Weaving Centre

Dewathang

Mongar

Trashigang

Deothang

Bhangtar

Royal Manas National Park

Khaling Wildlife Sanctuary

Communication / Connectivity

Airways : The nearest major airport is at Guwahati, 110 kilometers and nearly 3 - 3 ½ hours. The nearest airport to Phuentsholing is Bagdogra and from Samdrup Jongkhar it is Guwahati. The country's only international airport is at Paro in the south west of the country and is 55 kilometers from Thimpu. Paro Airport is a beautiful small green roofed facility in a valley served only by Druk Air, Bhutan's national airline from India, Nepal and other countries. Druk operate four aircraft (including two airbuses) which has flight to Bangkok, Kolkata, Delhi, Dhaka, Gaya, Kathmandu, and Yangon. Schedules vary between seasons, and extra flights are available during peak tourist season. Normally flights from New Delhi, Kathmandu and from Bangkok via Kolkata or Dhaka are available in regular basis.

Railways : Nearest Railway Station is the capital of Assam, Guwahati, 110 kilometers and nearly 3 - 3 ½ hours drive. Assam railway is closest to Samdrup Jongkhar. A memorandum of Understanding between India and Bhutan has been signed to link between Hashimara in West Bengal and Phuentsholing by an 18 kilometer rail line with bifurcation to Pasakha, another between Kokrajhar in Assam and Gelephu by a 70 kilometer. Rangia in Assam and Samdrup Jongkhar via Darrang with a 60 kilometers track and Banarhat in West Bengal and Samtse by a 16 kilometer track are on the anvil.

Roadways : Roads are only for the Bhutan National to use as an entry and exit point. Samdrup Jongkhar to Guwahati in Assam is 110 kilometers and nearly 3 - 3 ½ hours drive. Trashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar is nearly 8 hours drive. Tashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar 180 kilometers and nearly 7 to 8 hours drive. Samdrup Jongkhar to Phuentsholing 380 kilometers and nearly 10 hours drive. Samdrup Jongkhar is a four day bus ride from Thimphu and the nearest direct services terminate in Trashigang and Mongar. Travelers will have to spend the night before departing on a different bus the next morning after purchasing an onward ticket.

It is perhaps the smallest capital in the world and is pure and ethnic gallery of traditional Bhutanese art, architecture, culture, and tradition, located across the western slopes of the Wang Chhu river valley. This is the center of Bhutan and the financial and tourism hub situated at an altitude of 2,320 meters, even a walk through Norzin Lam the main thoroughfare is worth. It is perhaps the only world capital without any traffic lights. The places to visit in Thimpu is the Memorial Chorten, dedicated to the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, Tashichho Dzong, the summer residence of the central monk body, the traditional medicine hospital where herbal medicines are prepared. The National Library, a treasure trove of ancient texts and the institute of Zorig Chosum for thanka painting, sculpture, wood and slate carving, gold works and embroidery. Changangkha Lakhang which contains ancient scriptures and thanka paintings and Simtokha Dzong now house a school for Buddhist studies. The National Post Office, along Chang lam, is an institute in itself where famous Bhutanese stamps are displayed and stored. This is a paradise for Philatelist. The old and expensive stamps are exhibited at the National Museum in Paro.

Places of Interests

Changangkha Monastery

Radio tower (View Point)

Zoo/Textile Museum / Handicrafts Emporium

Nunnery temple / The National Library

School of Arts and Crafts

National Institute of Traditional Medicine

Traditional paper factory / Tashicho Dzong

Simtokha Dzong

Voluntary Artist's Studio, Thimpu gallery

Dechenphu monasteries

Tango monasteries / Cheri monasteries

Phajoding monastery

Communication / Connectivity

Airways : The country's only international airport is at Paro in the south west of the country and is 55 kilometers from Thimpu. Paro Airport is a beautiful small green roofed facility in a valley served only by Druk Air, Bhutan's national airline from India, Nepal and other countries. Druk operate four aircraft (including two airbuses) which has flight to Bangkok, Kolkata, Delhi, Dhaka, Gaya, Kathmandu, and Yangon. Bagdogra Airport and Guwahati airport are 9 to 10 hours drive.

Railways : Bhutan cannot be accessed by train directly as there is no railway system in Bhutan. Indian Railways plans to link southern Bhutan to its network under an agreement signed in January 2005 The nearest railway station from Phuentsholing is Hashimara in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal in India. The nearest major railway station is at Siliguri namely New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in India. Guwahati in Assam is also one of the major railway stations and is close to Samdrup Jongkhar.

Roadways : Roads are only for the Bhutan National to use as an entry and exit point. Travelers are only allowed to enter, exit point are Paro and Phuentsholing only. Indian buses ply up to Jaigaon, the bordering town of Bhutan border town Phuentsholing. Royal Bhutanese Government runs bus service from Kolkata in West Bengal to Phuentsholing in Bhutan. Buses depart from Kolkata's Esplanade bus terminus. Similarly they leave from Phuentsholing Bhutan Post office. The journey takes around 18 hours. The buses are comparatively comfortable. There is frequent service between Siliguri, Jalpaiguri and Phuentsholing.

Located in the centre of Bhutan is of great importance in the history of Bhutan. His Majesty King Ugyen Wangchuck, who was elected the country's first hereditary monarch, and his successor, King Jigme Wangchuck, ruled the country from Trongsa's ancient dzong. The present King continued this tradition when he was appointed Trongsa Penlop in 1972 shortly before he ascended the throne of Bhutan. Trongsa Dzong is an awe-inspiring and impregnable fortress. It has a labyrinth of temples, corridors and offices holding court over the local community. Trongsa is one of the quaintest and most charming of all Bhutanese towns. Its vista is traditional in appearance with wooden slatted houses lining the side of the hill.

Until the 17th century it was a separate kingdom, ruled from Jakar. One of the site Jakar is in the middle of the four valleys of Bumthang covered in spruce and fir with avifauna like Chestnut breasted Partridge, Ward's Trogon, the majestic Rufous necked Hornbill, Blue napped Pitta, Blue fronted Robin, wedge billed, Bar winged Wren Babblers, Yellow rumped Honey guide, Emerald Dove, Large Niltava, and Russet Bush Warbler. One can also spot the rare Golden Langur. Here the landscape is dotted with palaces, ancient temples and monasteries. The drive from Punakha to Bumathang over the Do Chula Pass and Pelela Pass. On the way visit to Chume Valley, where local women weave the famous Bumathang Yathra from pure woolen cloth woven in the traditional method with beautiful colored patterns is worth visiting. Bumthang countryside are brilliant and one can enjoy the drive or trek whichever one opt for offers an exceptional opportunity to be in contact with the rural life.

Places of Interests

Mebartsho or Flaming Lake

Jambey Lhakhang

Tamshing Lhakhang

Jakar Dzong

Kurjey Lhakhang courtyard

Wangdichholing Palace

Tamshing Lhakhang

Kuenshusum Lhakhang

Excursions from Bumathang

Thangbi Gompa

Ngang Lhakhang

Membartsho

Ura Valley

Communication / Connectivity

Airways : The country's only international airport is at Paro in the south west of the country and is 55 kilometers from Thimpu. Paro Airport is a beautiful small green roofed facility in a valley served only by Druk Air, Bhutan's national airline from India, Nepal and other countries. Druk operate four aircraft (including two airbuses) which has flight to Bangkok, Kolkata, Delhi, Dhaka, Gaya, Kathmandu, and Yangon. Bagdogra Airport and Guwahati airport are 9 to 10 hours drive.

Railways : Bhutan cannot be accessed by train directly as there is no railway system in Bhutan. Indian Railways plans to link southern Bhutan to its network under an agreement signed in January 2005 The nearest railway station from Phuentsholing is Hashimara in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal in India. The nearest major railway station is at Siliguri namely New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in India. Guwahati in Assam is also one of the major railway stations and is close to Samdrup Jongkhar.

Wangdue Phodrang is a town and capital of Wangdue Phodrang District. Wangdue Phodrang is divided into 15 gewogs or counties and the name is derived from the Dzong built here in 1638Located in central Bhutan the district is bordered by Thimphu and Punakha Dzongkhag to the west, Dagana and Tsirang Dzongkhag to the south, Tongsa Dzongkhag to the east and Gasa Dzongkhag and a small section of border with Tibet to the north. Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag has three approach / exit route. The Lateral Road enters from the west at Dochu La Pass and continues east to Tongsa. Second road heads north to the dzong at Punakha and becomes the trail to Gasa. The third departs the Lateral Road near the Pele La pass traveling south to Gangteng monastery and the Phobjika valley where the rare Grus nigricollis or the black necked cranes can be spotted. Trongsa is one of the tourist hot spot in eastern Bhutan. Located in the centre of Bhutan is of great importance in the history of Bhutan.

Places of Interests

Wangdi Phodrong Dzong

Gangtey Gompa

Rinchengang village

Metshina village

Phobjikha Valley

Punakha

Trek to nearby village

Pele La pass

Trongsa

Gasa

Birding/ Black Neck Crane

Dochu La Pass

Communication / Connectivity

Airways : The country's only international airport is at Paro in the south west of the country and is 55 kilometers from Thimpu. Paro Airport is a beautiful small green roofed facility in a valley served only by Druk Air, Bhutan's national airline from India, Nepal and other countries. Druk operate four aircraft (including two airbuses) which has flight to Bangkok, Kolkata, Delhi, Dhaka, Gaya, Kathmandu, and Yangon. Bagdogra Airport and Guwahati airport are 9 to 10 hours drive.

Railways : Bhutan cannot be accessed by train directly as there is no railway system in Bhutan. Indian Railways plans to link southern Bhutan to its network under an agreement signed in January 2005 The nearest railway station from Phuentsholing is Hashimara in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal in India. The nearest major railway station is at Siliguri namely New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in India. Guwahati in Assam is also one of the major railway stations and is close to Samdrup Jongkhar.

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